INDIANAPOLIS (WLKI)- President Donald Trump has approved a major disaster declaration providing federal assistance to Indiana communities recovering from severe storms and flooding.
The declaration was approved through the Federal Emergency Management Agency after Gov. Mike Braun submitted an expedited request Aug. 20.
According to the governor's office, the declaration provides individual assistance to residents in 21 counties and public assistance to state and local governments in 11 counties.
"I am pleased to share that my request for a major disaster declaration has been approved for multiple counties," Braun said. "This critical support will help Hoosiers recovering from historic storms and flooding."
Individual assistance was approved for Carroll, Dearborn, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Henry, Lake, LaPorte, Madison, Marion, Morgan, Porter, Pulaski, Randolph, Rush, Tipton, Union and Wayne counties.
Individual assistance can provide financial support and direct services to eligible residents and households. Programs can help cover temporary housing, home repairs and other disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance.
Public assistance was approved for Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Henry, Lake, LaPorte, Madison, Porter, Tipton and Wayne counties.
Public assistance reimburses state and local governments and eligible nonprofit organizations for qualifying emergency work. It can also help pay for the repair or replacement of roads, bridges, public buildings and other disaster-damaged facilities.
Counties not included in the initial declaration could still become eligible for assistance as state and federal officials continue reviewing damage reports and collecting additional information.
The approval is expected to make millions of dollars in federal aid available for Indiana's recovery.
The declaration follows destructive weather that caused flooding in central Indiana and extensive wind damage in the northwestern portion of the state. The storms damaged homes, businesses, roads, bridges and utility infrastructure.
Braun thanked Trump and federal officials for approving the request and said the assistance would help affected communities rebuild and recover.
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security and FEMA will provide joint briefing materials and information about the next steps.
Additional details about applications, eligibility requirements and available programs are expected to be released as federal and state agencies begin implementing the declaration.